Jay Clayton

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's 111-page transcribed interview of former Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi, taken in Room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 9:05 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Chairman James Comer requested it as part of the Committee's investigation into the Epstein and Maxwell cases, the operation of sex-trafficking rings, and related ethics questions. Bondi had been subpoenaed; asked whether she had counsel in a personal capacity, she answered "Only as my -- when I was Attorney General for the United States, and that's Harmeet Dhillon." Dhillon identified herself as appearing on behalf of the Department of Justice, said Bondi was appearing voluntarily in her official capacity only, and objected repeatedly that anything outside Bondi's own tenure was beyond scope. Minority counsel disputed both the limitation and Dhillon's standing to assert it. Bondi testified that then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, by then Acting Attorney General, supervised the files release day to day, and referred questions to Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and the Bureau of Prisons. After the majority's rounds she returned to the record to say that Rep. Robert Garcia's characterisation of that testimony as blaming Blanche was "100 percent incorrect" and that "I'm not blaming anything on Todd." She declined every question touching conversations with President Trump, including whether any occurred. She answered at length on redaction failures and on Ghislaine Maxwell's transfer; she would not say either way whether any named individual was under investigation. Eleven exhibits were entered, one an email headed "Epstein victim list" that counsel agreed on the record would be sealed.

The passage lists specific private‑equity leaders (Steve Schwarzman, Jay Clayton, Wilbur Ross) who were appointed or met with the incoming administration, indicating potential channels for influencing Steve Schwarzman (Blackstone CEO) named chair of the President's Strategic and Policy Forum Jay Clayton (attorney with PE deal experience) appointed SEC chair Wilbur Ross (private‑equity background)

The passage identifies specific high‑profile private‑equity executives (Steve Schwarzman, Jay Clayton, heads of Carlyle and KKR) linked to senior White House roles and regulatory posts, suggesting a c Steve Schwarzman (Blackstone CEO) slated to chair the President’s Strategic and Policy Forum. Jay Clayton, a private‑equity‑seasoned lawyer, nominated to lead the SEC. President‑elect Trump met with

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - v. - JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. 19 Cr. 490 (RMB) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - v. - GHISLAINE MAXWELL, Defendant. 20 Cr. 330 (PAE) GOVERNMENT’S MEMORANDUM IN RESPONSE TO THE COURT’S ORDERS OF JULY 22,2025 PAMELA J. BONDI United States Attorney General TODD BLANCHE Deputy United States Attorney General United States Department of Justice JAY CLAYTON United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York 26

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - v. - JEFFREY EPSTEIN, Defendant. 19 Cr. 490 (RMB) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - v. - GHISLAINE MAXWELL, Defendant. 20 Cr. 330 (PAE) GOVERNMENT’S MEMORANDUM IN RESPONSE TO THE COURT’S ORDERS OF JULY 22, 2025 PAMELA J. BONDI United States Attorney General TODD BLANCHE Deputy United States Attorney General United States Department of Justice JAY CLAYTON United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York 26 Federal Plaza 37th Floor New York, New York 10278 Case 1:19-cr-00490-RMB Document 66 Filed 07/29/25 Page 1 of 10 I. Preliminary Statement The Government respectfully submits this memorandum in response to the Court’s Orders concerning the two pending motions to unseal grand jury transcripts (Epstein Dkt. 61; Maxwell Dkt. 785) in cases prosecuted in this District. (Epstein Dkt. 63 at 1–3; Maxwell Dkt. 789 at 1–3). This memorandum, as directed by the Court, addresses the specific facts and factors highlighted in the Court’s Orders relevant to the particular grand jury materials at issue here. (Epstein Dkt. 63 at 1–3; Maxwell Dkt. 789 at 1–3). In order to ensure that “[t]ransparency in this process … not be at the expense of [the Government’s] obligation under the law to protect victims” (Epstein Dkt. 61 at 2; Maxwell Dkt. 785 at 2), the Government also respectfully requests leave to file a supplemental submission once the Government and the Court have received any filings from the victims or others referenced in the transcripts. II. The Court’s Orders As the Court recognized (Epstein Dkt. 63 at 1–2; Maxwell Dkt. 789 at 1–2), the Second Circuit has held that “there are certain ‘special circumstances’ in which release of grand jury records is appropriate even outside the boundaries of the rule.” In re Craig, 131 F.3d 99, 102 (2d Cir. 1997); see also In re Biaggi, 478 F.2d 489, 494 (2d Ci

Private equity firms have direct line to Trump administration through key appointments and meetings The passage identifies specific high‑profile private‑equity executives (Steve Schwarzman, Jay Clayton, heads of Carlyle and KKR) linked to senior White House roles and regulatory posts, suggesting a concrete avenue to investigate influence‑peddling, policy shaping, and potential financial benefits such as carried‑interest tax treatment. The information is moderately novel (not widely reported at the time) and involves powerful actors, making it a strong investigative lead. Key insights: Steve Schwarzman (Blackstone CEO) slated to chair the President’s Strategic and Policy Forum.; Jay Clayton, a private‑equity‑seasoned lawyer, nominated to lead the SEC.; President‑elect Trump met with heads of Carlyle Group and KKR after the election.